X Report 19 Jul 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink satellites from California while investigations begin on a possible Starship salvage operation near Mexico.
THURAYA-1 (26578)
COSPAR: 2000-066A | Alt Name: Thuraya 1
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 21, 2000
Launch Site
SEAL
Launch Pad
KLA -
Launch Vehicle
Zenit-3SL
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
26578
International Designator
2000-066A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:04:38 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
9.87°
Right Ascension
22.16°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
16.20°
Period
1454.75 min
Mean Motion
0.99 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
THURAYA-1
Alternative Name
Thuraya 1
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
THUR
Country
United Arab Emirates
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 26578U 00066A 26184.96156111 -.00000225 00000-0 00000-0 0 9991
2 26578 9.8683 22.1558 0008028 16.2050 353.5344 0.98986418 93337
Source: Celestrak
Summary
THURAYA-1 (also known as Thuraya 1) is a communication satellite launched by the UAE on October 21, 2000, from the Sea Launch Platform using a Zenit-3SL launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 12.2 meters in length and has a diameter of 17 meters with a span of 34 meters. It weighs 5108 kilograms at launch and has a dry mass of 4000 kilograms. THURAYA-1 is equipped with L-band active elements and C-band transmitters, as well as two deployable solar arrays for power supply. The satellite was manufactured by BOES (Boeing Satellite Systems) and is part of the HS-GEM (High-Speed Geomobile) configuration. It has a designed lifetime of 12 years and serves communication purposes.
Physical Characteristics
Length
12.2
Diameter
17
Span
34
Dry Mass
4000
Launch Mass
5108
Shape
Box + Dish + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
24.8122
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Thuraya 1
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
BOES
Life Expectancy
12 years
Bus
HS-GEM
Configuration
HS-GEM (Geomobile)
Motor
R-4D-14-350
Equipment
L-band 128 active elements, 17 W SSPAs C-band 2 active (2 spare)
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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